Is this DOMS? Everything in and around my ribcage hurt...

[Biteset]

I'm going to try to describe this, and maybe someone else has experienced this as well! ?

I did Power Hour two days ago, and this was after a few days of not working out at all. Not a long break--certainly under a week--but a break nonetheless. Afterwards I had mild soreness in all the appropriate places (quads, triceps), but overnight last night was awakened by pain everywhere INSIDE my torso. It was so bad that thoughts of "heartburn" and/or "heart attack" entered my mind, but a) I'm 29 and b) it was the middle of the night and I certainly ate nothing to give me heartburn.

I'm thinking DOMS of some sort, because I have experienced this pain before--several days after I start working out after some days of inactivity.

Where the heck is the soreness, though? My abs? Or some inner muscles in my ribs area?

I really hope someone knows what I'm talking about--it's really puzzling me! I had to take Ibuprofin to go back to sleep, and missed another workout...

Thanks!

Gisela

 

[Boybert]

I would go see a doctor to know for sure, especially if you think the pain is serious enough.


Live with sincerity, love with passion, and dance like you mean it.

Debbie

 

[kelley111]

RE: Is this DOMS? Everything in and around my ribcage ...

I did Power Hour for the first time in a very very long time a couple of weeks ago and was extremely sore in the ribcage area for like 2 days. It is from the ab work. It was not so sore that I needed medication and I knew what it was. If it is a bad sore, you need to see a physician.

 

[andtckrtoo]

Gisela -

How does it feel? In my experience, DOMS is very different from Heartburn. DOMS of the rib cage area seems more like you're stuck in a tight girdle and hurts more when you twist or move. Heartburn, well, burns, and is relieved more by sitting up and relieving the pressure from the espophagus and stomach.

Now I am a little concerned as you said you thought it was either heart burn or a heart attack. As someone who has a background in emergency medicine - please do note - any pain that is not relieved no matter how you sit, lay or stand, and is constant (neither getting worse or better) or grows worse, needs to be checked out by a doctor immediately. People younger than 29 have had heart attacks. We had an 18 year old here in my local area die from a heart attack during a sports event - he had a defect in his heart and did not know it. If you're worried, get it checked out. Women don't show the classic signs of a heart attack that men do, so we need to be more careful. Much better to be admitted to the hospital for a bad case of heartburn (or DOMS) then to resist the idea that it could happen to you, and end up with serious damage, or worse.

*Steps off soap box*

 

[hippahips]

I'm with everybody on this one. Please see a doctor.

I once felt this constant heaviness (I couldn't really say it was pain) in my chest area, and it felt more like it was UNDER the upper part of my rib cage -- which is why I had this urge to answer your post when you said the pain is inside your torso -- and for the first few days I chucked it up to all the heavy presses and flyes, and all the push-ups. When it didn't go away, I went to my doctor. I was starting to fear for my heart. Long story short, she couldn't find out exactly what was wrong with me, and after a battery of tests, we found out I have allergy-induced asthma. I'm glad I listened to my gut and had myself checked. It really helps when you know and understand what's going on in your body.

Take care of yourself.

Pinky

 

[Biteset]

I think it's probably okay

Well, the pain hasn't returned since I woke up this morning. I just wanted to add that there was no shortness of breath with it. And it didn't seem to be focused in any one area. It was just sharp jabbing pain in many different torso places at once.

I'm aware that young people can get heart attacks, also that often the symptoms can be unclear in women, and can be disguised as indigestion--and I'm not actually that familiar with the feeling of heartburn--it was these thoughts that had me a bit concerned in the middle of the night.

On the other hand, I knew I'd felt this before--last time I got back into working out. It must have gone away quickly the last time, because I wouldn't have remembered it if it hadn't happened again last night.

I'll definitely keep monitoring how I feel, and I just really wanted to know if it sounded familiar to anybody else.

Everybody, thanks!

Gisela

 

[pixie9]

I'm not a doctor but I've had similar issues and it turned out to be costochondritis. It's a very common condition and pretty much goes away on it's own. Here's some info about it:

/www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/stc123748.asp
If you do a google search for it, I'm sure you'll find more.

Take care of yourself and go to the doctor if you're unsure.

Carolyn